Biography
Brittany lives and works in Houston, Texas where she was born and raised.
She obtained her BFA in 2021 from the Academy of Art University. Her background as a painter, photographer, and innovator inspires her multifaceted compositions. Combining painting, unconventional objects, and sculpture she creates narratives based on memories exploring adolescent youth. Her most recent art series “Home Sweet Home” documents collective experiences that resonate with memories of childhood juxtaposed with the reality of adulthood. Using hazy acrylic layers creates an illusion of ghostly images imitating the reality of memory. Somethings you remember and some things you don’t but with repetitive reflections on each memory you begin to remember hazy little details of what was forgotten. Brittany's artworks strive to stand as a reminder to enjoy moments of the present instead of chasing fleeting moments of nostalgia of the past. Brittany’s works are included in the permanent collections of the International Collage Museum. Exhibitions including The Contemporary Art Museum Houston: Contents under pressure exhibit (09), The De Young Museum: New Generations Matter Exhibit (2012), Arts Benicia: Fragments The art of collage and assemblage Exhibition (2015), Art Museum of South Texas (2020). |
Artist Statement
2020 was the year to remember for more reasons than one. It’s lows were matched by its highs which brought inspiration within a time of sorrow for some. While in quarantine I began to reflect on happy memories throughout the chaos of 2020. Compositions that encompass nostalgic visuals that represent the recollections of my childhood. Using collective mediums from obsolete iPads as a substrate, paper collage, found objects, acrylic paint, and pastels I create compositions documenting moments that resonate with my childhood. Collective experiences from my fascination with celestial objects to rainbows are objective memories that I compose within my artworks. The “Life series” documents the evolution of the planets using iconographic imagery representative of historical Gods. While “The Rainbow love series” documents collective experiences that resonate with childhood juxtaposed with adulthood. Each series documents not only moments of my life but instances that influenced who I am today. On occasion I live in the memories of the past reflecting on times before the loss of family and interwoven relationships. Ever since the loss of my father fleeting images of the past became moments of interest adjacent to the present. Everything in life is created, evolve, and cease to exist. Each series encourages acceptance of the present after experiencing escapism. The nostalgia experienced within the past are feelings that are obtainable in the present by pursuing our aspirations. The pandemic forced everyone to slow down and acknowledge what we take for granted. As we continue through the trenches of 2021 we must continue to prioritize connection and remember to capitalize on the simple things. It's ok to slow down and perhaps reflect on the clouds every now and then.
Artist CV
Education 2021 BFA Fine Art Academy of Art University Awards 2016 Artslant 8th annual, Showcase Winner 2015 Artslant 5th annual, Showcase Winner 2015 Kolaj Magazine Cut Paste Repeat, Contest Winner 2010 Photographers forum Best of college photography honorable mention book ed. Solo Exhibitions 2022 West Elm Pop up Shop 2022 The Goof Makers Market 2021 West Elm Pop up Shop 2017 Nexus Presents Controversial Conventions, Sweet Inspirations, San Francisco, CA Group Exhibitions 2022 Earth day model Festival 2022 Ephemeral, Capital Culture House Gallery, Virtual 2022 12x12 Project, Smythe-Mckee, Virtal 2022 Pop Up Shop, I Heart indie Markers, Houston, Tx 2022 Urban Art, The W.O.W Museum, Houston, TX 2021 Rotating Art Show, All Art Works, Grand Haven, MI 2021 Group Show, W.O.W Museum, Houston, Tx 2020 Group Show, Conception Art Show, Virtual 2020 Catalogue collection, cocoa Collective Xchange, Virtual 2020 Catalogue collection, PxP contemporary, Virtual 2020 Rotating Art Show, All Art Works, Grand Haven, MI 2020 Creative Distancing, Art museum of South Texas, Virtual 2020 Juried Exhibition ,Artspace 111, Sebastopol, CA 2020 Rotating Art Show, All Art Works, Grand Haven, MI 2020 Qua.Art.Tine, 4 the culture studio, Dallas , TX 2020 Favorite Things ,Sebastopol center for the arts Sebastopol, CA 2020 Mashed 4, Hardy and Nance Studios, Houston, TX 2016 Marvelous, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA 2016 Dada Centennial Day of the Dead, International Collage Museum , Santa Fe, NM 2016 Love Travels Campaign, Marriott, Virtual 2015 Artist Collaborative Artist, 356 Days, Virtual 2015 5th annual Showcase, Artslant Virtual 2015 Whimsical Wonderland, Artescape, Sonoma, CA 2015 Portraiture Pictures in Photography , Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR 2015 Unconventional Means, Las Laguna Gallery, Laguna beach, CA 2015 Collage , The Glass Door Montreal, QC 2015 The art of collage and assemblage Exhibition, Arts Benicia-Fragments, Benicia, CA 2015 Sexism, Women’s Cause for art, CA 2015 Strip- Caricatures, Satires and The Funnies, The Studio Door Strip, San Diego, CA 2015 Once Upon a Time Exhibition, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA 2012 Material Culture, 111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2012 New Generations Matter , De Young Museum , San Francisco, CA 2012 Collaborative group exhibition, The Habit Hole , San Francisco, CA 2009 Contents under pressure, Contemporary art museum, Houston , TX Bibliography 2021 Create Magazine blog, Memories, Childhood and Home The Rainbow Series by Brittany Ellis 2020 Ecological Citizen Vol 3 No 2, 2020, page #124, #125, #126 2017 Photographers forum best of photography book edition 2016 International contemporary artists vol XI page #86 2011 Photographers forum best of college photography book page #181 2011 Teen ink Magazine 2011 June issue page #10 2010 Photographers forum best of college photography honorable mention page #79 2010 Photographers forum best of college photography finalist edition page #36 2010 Teen Ink Magazine 2010 December issue page #12 2009 Houston Chronicle Artist to watch page #1 2022 Ephemeral, Capital Culture House Gallery, Virtual 2022 12x 12 Project, Smythe-Mackee Gallery, Virtual 2022 Pop Up shop, I Heart indie Markets, Great Heights Brewing Co. Houston, TX 2022 Urban Art Exhibition The W.O.W Museum Art Show, Houston, TX |